Accident At St. Barts Airport, As Landing Airplane Hits Parked Helicopter

The Runway 28 approach is actually not much easier then the runway 10 approach. It does not require a steep dive, but the approach takes you towards the approach end of 28 at about a 90 degree offset, and then you make a kai tak style right turn to align with the runway, only aligning about 10 seconds and maybe 300 feet before the threshold of runway 28.

Will await investigation .Too early to draw conclusions but lost of directional control can sometimes be due to mechanical issues

Another thing that's weird - have a look at the guy walking to his car across the street just as the incident happened..... "Oh - looks like a plane just crashed [doesn't stop walking or flinch] - need to get my beer into a fridge - it costs EUR50 for this 4pack on St. B"

At least the helicopter doesn’t look like much of a loss, it’s pretty dirty.

The crosswind must have factored into this mishap.The approach is a bit challenging because you have make an almost 90 degree turn and then quickly straighten up to align with the runway.Crosswinds must have been about 8-9 knots.

Was the pilot checked out to land on rwy 28? What about a stabilized approach? Couldn't the pilot make a go-around?
Elton Browne
Former Airline Captain

Definitely Putin’s work.

I live on SXM, we heard from close contacts on TFFJ that the pilot reported the left brake got stuck and therefore caused the plane to veer left into the parked helicopter

Is it possible to do a go-around with that hill in the way?

The pilot's flip-flops must have gotten stuck under the brake pedal !

i understand that it is generally not possible for most aircraft, so most aircraft land on 10.

That helicopter flies in and out of SBH multiple times daily it seems whenever we are on the island.

This airport is so challenging even in the best conditions. Hopefully is an aircraft malfunction and not pilot error.

All pilots, commercial and private, require special certification including monitored demonstrations of landings and take-offs before being allowed to land on their own. In this case, the touch down was with proper placement and alignment, but then veered left while on ground. So, no a go around would not apply here. Touch and go's are permitted and do occur. A Touch and go with left brake locked and while plowing through a helicopter would not be advisable at most airports.